HOLMES TOWNSHIP - The preseason is a steady process of trying to get better each and every day.

Even at Wynford, boasting a perfect Northern 10 record since joining the league and four titles to go along with that, it's no different.

"For the most part we've stayed focused and dialed in, but there's a lot of improvement that we need to make," Wynford coach Gabe Helbert said. "A lot of little things we need to work hard on to correct."

This year, instead of returning a slew of skill players and having to figure out the lines, it's swapped where the Royals can build from the inside out. Fourteen lettermen return, four offensive and five defensive starters as well.

Joel Griffin returns at quarterback after taking over for Wyatt Smith in the final part of the season following an injury, as does tight end Gavin Leffler and four of the five offensive linemen.

Joel Griffin (3) takes over at quarterback for the Royals.(Photo: Mike Dornbirer/Correspondent)

After losing the starting backfield and options out wide, though, finding their replacements has been the focus early on so far.

Senior Blake Sparks, juniors Seth Benedict and Nate Imbody, along with sophomore Toby Butterfield are projected starters in skill positions for the Royals this year. The likes of Alizhah Watson, Danny Bishop, Caden Fortner, David Bils, Kendall Blair, Brian Crabtree and James Schiefer are expected to contribute when called upon as well.

As for how their transition has been so far in bigger roles, Helbert admits it's tough to say.

"It's hard to tell because the limelight isn't shining too bright right now," Helbert said. "Getting the practice reps and really understanding their job as to what it is so they can play fast when the time comes. They got some exposure to that in our Pleasant scrimmage, which is a good thing, and we'll get a chance to see more in our next scrimmage."

In that Pleasant scrimmage, the defense was the highlight. As it should be with three returners on the line and two in the secondary.

"I thought overall our effort was great, our defense played well," Helbert said. "I thought the defensive line did a really nice job. From a skills standpoint, we need to find a way to effectively move the football. We didn't run it very well and that's a credit to Pleasant, they're a very good football team.

"I thought another are to improve was just consistency, consistency in executing our job on every snap, we always have to work on that."

Caleb Rausch — 56 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, six sacks, three forced fumbles and two recoveries lat year — will be one of the key returners for the Royals on the defensive line. Alongside him will be Blake Sparks and Leffler who combined for 143 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles and one recovered.

Caleb Rausch (70) will be one of Wynford's defensive leaders.(Photo: Mike Dornbirer/Correspondent)

In the secondary, Imbody and Griffin will start as safeties after combining for 88 tackles and three interceptions last season.

The rest of the defense will be new faces and Rausch said their transition has been about what was expected with role changes.

"We're coming along good," Rausch said. "We're still getting new people into new spots so there are a couple of hiccups, but other than that, we're getting along smooth and we'll get there."

As one of the experienced members on defense, he has stepped up to ease the transition for the younger players. In that Pleasant scrimmage, the biggest thing he took away was how well they worked together as a unit.

"We had the right keys and read what we needed to in that spot, so we were right there where we needed to be," Rausch said.

His personal goal this year is to make all-league and all-state, but as a team goal, he wants what everyone at Wynford wants — a league title. That could be harder than it has been to date in the Northern 10 this year, though.

"It will be tough, but it'll be good," Rausch said. "You want to play the good guys, it's fun to have more competition than it is for someone to not have much competition. It'll be tough, it'll be challenging, but in the end, we'll be all right."

With teams like Mohawk, Seneca East, Colonel Crawford and Carey always vying for a title, coupled with the experience Upper Sandusky and Bucyrus return and Buckeye Central eager to play the role of spoiler each night, the N10 is almost anyone's to win this year.

Gavin Leffler (53) is one of several key returners on defense.(Photo: Mike Dornbirer/Correspondent)

"Our league is very balanced," Helbert said. "There are a lot of really good teams that return a lot of good football players. It's going to be very competitive and a great challenge and that's what you want. It's awesome to have a league that has a lot of good competition."

Up first for the Royals is a tough Liberty-Benton team that blanked them 49-0 in the home opener last year.

"It'll be very tough for us, they're an excellent football program," Helbert said. "Coach (Tim) Nichols does a phenomenal job, there's a reason they make it to the regional finals or state semifinals year in, year out. They do an awesome job ... and have a huge sophomore class, so I'm sure they'll replace some guys they missed with those kids, but it'll be a major challenge for us when they come to our place in week one and something we better be looking forward to."

Opening with a team of the Eagles' caliber is a good way for Helbert to see where his program is at.

"It goes with our scrimmage schedule, too," Helbert said. "We know where we're at with our very first scrimmage because Marion Pleasant is an awesome football program. Liberty-Benton definitely a test for us, they embarrassed us last year and we hope to not allow that to happen this year."